LOCK8 - the World's First Smart Bike Lock

£60,095

742

LOCK8 is the first smart bike lock and we want LOCK8 to revolutionize the way people think about bicycle security.

Subscription

LOCK8 does NOT require a subscription!

The basic functionalities of LOCK8 such as keyless locking, unlocking, activation of the smart sensors, the alarm system, smart cables or e-key sharing up to five people will always be for FREE!

Only if you use other services like renting out your bike, push notifications or GPS tracking we need to charge a small subscription fee, as this requires a GSM connection that we need to pay for. We expect the subscription for these extended services to be around $2 per month, but you can always choose not to go for a subscription.

We chose our name LOCK8 ('lok-keit'), as it alludes to the combination of a bicycle lock and the verb 'locate'. The logo 8 was designed to show two entangled chain links.

Wired smart cables, different cable sizes, lock multiple bikes

LOCK8 cables will be wired and if cut, trigger the alarm.

We will produce multiple cable sizes, lengths and strengths. If you want to lock various bikes with one LOCK8 wired cable, this won`t be a problem.

Remember: You can also use LOCK8 without the wired cable. Just activate the alarm by walking away.

The cable bolts are interlocking in the device and firmly blocked from removal through a servo that rotates a cylinder in the casing.

Mounting

LOCK8 is easily mounted with four screws.

The clamp is fitted with a rubber padding, to protect the frame and adapt to different frame sizes.

Compatible with 95% of all bicycles

The curving makes LOCK8 compatible with all bikes that have two connecting stays at the back wheel. Just send us a picture if you think LOCK8 might not be compatible.

Weight

LOCK8 will not be very heavy as the casing is made out of polycarbonate. We estimate the final weight to be around 450 grams.

Technicalities

The electronics are spring mounted and surrounded by protective foam to prevent damage due to vibration. They are encased in polycarbonate for security.

We partnered with alpha-board in order to perfect the electronics board design.

How it all began...

At University both our bikes got stolen multiples times. So over a coffee on a sunny day in England, we started talking about bike theft. Surprised that there wasn't a technologically advanced bike lock on the market, we decided to build one ourselves. We installed our own little workshop, decided not to tell anyone and started drawing, machining, soldering and testing. One year later we are extremely excited about the launch and would like to thank everyone who has supported us! Particularly our families and friends!

Since September '12 we have been refining LOCK8.

This was one of Daniel's early product design sketches.

We soon turned our focus to frame mounted bracket.

We produced various aluminium prototypes of the bracket design to see how compatible they are.

The electronics were developed by a German engineering team and worked well, but the design was still bulky and unpractical.

We then switched to a shark fin design, and decided LOCK8 should be mounted to the frame close to the back wheel. This solved many problems. Charging through induction was now possible (so we skipped the solar panels). Induction charging now works through reflectors (with built-in magnets) that we provide for you.

The evolution of the Shark Fin design

Branding

Final Design - LOCK8 is available with or without logo (if you don't like it too branded). Also you can order different colors, as we will use water transfer printing.

Electronics Demo on open LOCK8:

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How you can get involved...

By pre-ordering LOCK8 you can help us go into production. We have selected key partners we want to produce with and are ready to start producing after the campaign ends. Our next steps are: create moulds for mass production, source components, print electronics (PCB), assemble, package and ship to you!

Production Plan:

November (29th October): Kickstarter Launch

November: Agreements with manufacturing partners are finalized

December/January: Tools and components ordered

February: Manufacturing begins

March: Testing of first production batch

April: First batch is prepared for shipping

May: Shipping of first orders

July: All Kickstarter orders finalized

Thanks!!!

Risks and challenges

Building a hardware product like LOCK8 involves challenges due to its complexity. Aware of the risks we have gone through many versions of prototype production to ensure a great final product.

- Manufacturing: LOCK8 requires different manufacturing techniques. During various meetings we got in touch with reliable producers, who we hold a very friendly and professional relationship with. We have a fallback option for every partner to avoid time delays in case we identify a problem.

- Shipping: We realize that shipping is always a logistical challenge. Therefore, we are working hard to find the best companies to help us deliver in time. In addition, having our assembly hub in Mexico means that shipping to the rest of North America is not only simple but also reduces our costs and helps keep the price of LOCK8 down. Shipping to Europe is also relatively easy from Mexico's Gulf ports.

- Sourcing: Getting all the material and components together in one place is a daunting task. We have already started sourcing of components and are looking for alternative providers for the components where we are seeing time delays in order to anticipate potential problems once manufacturing begins.

The most likely challenge will arise from the continual improvement of our prototype to a finished product. Every avenue of bike security will need to be explored explicitly to ensure our final product is at least as secure and reliable as the customer expects it to be.

On a software side, the on-going ironing out of technical glitches does now, and will always remain at the forefront of our tech team's agenda before, during and after launch.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £69 or more
About $87

Earlybird Offer I - The first 100 backers will receive a LOCK8 at distributor price including a smart cable and all remote features enabled for 6 months free.
Free shipping to the USA. Add £7 to ship anywhere else.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £79 or more
About $100

Earlybird Offer I - The first 200 backers will receive a LOCK8 at cost including a smart cable and all remote features enabled for 6 months free.
Free shipping to the USA. Add £7 to ship anywhere else.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £95 or more
About $120

Christmas Package Gift Box!!
You will receive a little Christmas package with a card from us and a picture of your new LOCK8. Tell us whom to address the package to and where to send it. This is the perfect Christmas gift for bikers or anyone who wants to get a bike.

Upon shipping you or your friend receives a LOCK8 with an standard-length smart cable and all remote features enabled for 3 months free. Plus
Free shipping to USA.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £99 or more
About $125

Happy Thanksgiving! Getting this award means we will send you a crazy picture of a LOCK8 and a Turkey to anywhere in the world.
You will receive a new LOCK8 with an extended-length smart cable and all remote features enabled for 3 months free. Free shipping to the USA. Add £7 to ship anywhere else. (£99 is approx. US $159 )

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £119 or more
About $151

You will get a new LOCK8 with a color of your choice (CYMK color code), a smart cable included and all remote features enabled for 6 months free.
Free shipping to the USA. Add £7 to ship anywhere else.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £119 or more
About US$ 150

You will get the InterLOCK8, the ultimate convenience pack that includes a LOCK8 and cable plus an InterLock to store your cable. Please see update #6 for more details. Add £5 for delivery within the continental USA and £10 for delivery elsewhere.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £3,000 or more
About US$ 3,787

API developer pack: You will receive documentation and a pre-release of our apps and an SDK so that you may develop LOCK8 compatibility for your apps. PLEASE CONTACT US BEFORE pledging. See Update #7 for more details

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £3,000 or more
About US$ 3,787

Bike Rental Pack:
We will work with you to provide a customizable solution for your bike rental needs. Helping you set up your LOCK8 equipped fleet and maintaining dialogue to ensure a high performance. PLEASE CONTACT US BEFORE pledging.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £5,000 or more
About US$ 6,312

Connected Cities Pack:
We will work with you to provide a customizable solution for your city's bike sharing scheme. Helping you set up your LOCK8 equipped network and maintaining dialogue to ensure a high performance. PLEASE CONTACT US BEFORE pledging.